Measles On the Rise In USA !!

Reviewed By: Pramod Kerkar, MD, FFARCSI

After experiencing the record number of measles cases, i.e. 644 cases in United States of America in the year 2014; a total number of 141 people from 17 states and Washington DC were reported having measles this year in 2015 (from January 1st to February 13th). About 80% of these cases ( 113 people) were reported to be parts of an ongoing outbreak linked to an Amusement Park in California.

Though people in the US get measles however it is not common in the nation because most of the people here are vaccinated. However, measles is common in Asia, Africa, Europe, Pacific etc and measles are brought to America by the people who travel abroad and get infected. Infected travellers can spread the measles virus to a large number of people in America in a community where people are unvaccinated. A majority of cases reported with measles in US this year were unvaccinated and got the disease from the travellers who were infected from the measles virus.

Runny nose, fever, cough, red eyes, rashes and red spots all over the body are some of the most common symptoms of measles. In rare cases measles may be fatal to life. Being a contagious disease, it spreads rapidly from the infected persons to the uninfected adults and children. Young children are more likely to be in danger with the onset of measles virus in them. It can be serious and may lead to pneumonia, encephalitis and even death.

Doctors have requested the citizens to get vaccinated against the measles virus. There is also a strict announcement from the University of California about new rules of immunization which requires the student getting entry in to the system in the year 2017 must be vaccinated against the measles virus.

Measles Can Be Serious!!

Statistics say from 1000 children who get infected by the measles one or two children end up with death.

Serious complications from measles are seen in children younger than 5 years to adults of age 20 years.

From 164,000 deaths reported from measles in the year 2008, and this included 450 deaths everyday or 18 deaths every hour.

Protect Your Child From Measles:

Measles can be protected through a vaccination named MMR that is a combination of vaccines for three diseases including Measles, Mumps and Rubella (MMR) and is proven to be safe and highly effective against the measles virus.

1st dose of MMR- At age of 12 months to 15 months

2nd dose of MMR- At age of 4 years to 6 years.

Consult with your paediatrician for the best protection of your child/children against measles.

Protection Against Measles When Traveling:

If you are planning for a travel with your little ones make sure you have protected your kids effectively against the measles virus. Infants from 6 months to 11 months of age requires one dose of the vaccine before traveling abroad, while the kids who are of one year of age or above require two doses before the travel. Do make a note to consult with your child doctor before traveling and get your child vaccinated in the best possible way.

Make sure you are also vaccinated against the measles virus in case you are traveling abroad.

Protect Yourself From Measles:

It is also essential for the adults who are born on or after the year 1957, to take both the two doses of MMR keeping in mind the second dose is not taken before 28 days from taking the first dose.